Physical Exam
According to Children’s Hospital of Boston, your doctor will examine your spine to see if it is symmetrical. She will also look closely to see if your shoulders are even in height and width, whether your head and neck are centered above your spine, and whether both sides of your body are even. She will also check your back muscles and rib cage to make sure they’re uniform in size. If your doctor suspects scoliosis, she may order X-rays or refer you to an orthopedic spine specialist.
X-Rays and Other Tests
X-rays of the spine are taken to determine a final diagnosis of scoliosis as well as to determine the course of treatment needed. If the X-rays show extensive curvature or atypical scoliosis, your doctor may request further testing such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography scan (CT scan) to aid in determining a treatment plan.
Curvature Measurement
According to the Mayo Clinic, your doctor will use the test results to measure the degree of abnormal curvature of the spine. Typically, a normal spine measurement is zero degrees, meaning it is straight. A deviation of 10 degrees or more is defined as scoliosis, and a curve more than 20 degrees usually requires treatment. There is no standard treatment for scoliosis; each case is diagnosed individually and treatment depends on the age of the patient as well as the severity and location of the curve or curves. Typical treatments include observation, bracing and surgery.
